260 OUR NATIVE SONGSTERS. 



rage, or anger. Veiy often on a summer even- 

 ing, large nimil3ers of spaiTOWs assemble in the 

 trees, and keep up so long and loud a chorus of 

 chirpings, that one might think it was a party of 

 birds preparing for migi-ation. These spaiTOW 

 choruses may, however, be regarded as a prelude 

 to a following day of sunshine, and probably arise 

 from the happy feelings of the bird in the genial 

 atmosphere. When the bro^vn com is cutting 

 do^vn, then is the joyous season for the sparrows. 

 Away they fly in troops to tlie harvest iield, to 

 gather the gi-ain which may be scattered from the 

 full ears, and very meny they seem as they hop 

 about in search of it. Their assemblies in spring 

 are not so peaceful. Indeed they seem to be half 

 their time in a rage, and their incessant combats 

 at this season must have been remarked by all 

 who notice the actions of birds, several spar- 

 rows uniting to pursue some hapless offender, 

 till it drops down d«.*ad with fright, or from bodily 

 injury. 



The span-ow is an early builder, and tlie ni'St, 

 though sometimes placed on the high branches 

 of fruit-trees in gardens near to houses, is more 

 often found under the eaves of tiles, or in holes or 



